Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Amanda Stancati
Travel expert Brenda Melo (ext 7218) recently returned from a two-day trip to the Nickelodeon Punta Cana hosted by Karisma resorts. Here’s what she had to say:
This hotel is brand spanking new, officially opened in July. A direct transfer from the airport to Uvero Alto beach is about 40 minutes. The hotel is located in the same complex as the Sensatori Punta Cana between CHIC Punta Cana and Dreams Punta Cana and shares most of the facilities. When we checked in, our first impressions were great. The lobby is smaller than I’m used to in Punta Cana. What I really loved about this property is there is a separate lobby for kids. While their parents are checking in, kids can start their vacation off making friends in the little kids area.
Since it is a new resort, everything is modern and clean. The hotel at the time was running at 60-70% percent occupancy but I got the impression that even at 100% never crowded. Our rooms were ready to go when we arrived. From the main lobby we had to go through the Gourmet Village, where the restaurants and some of the nightly bar hangouts are located. Located right outside our building was a pool with swim up bar and gourmet food truck as building 32 was centrally located on the property.
Nick Place
Other than at the character breakfast if you want to see a character you have to go to the Nick Place (sports area, waterpark, kids club).
At the sports complex, you have tennis courts, basketball courts, a full size soccer field, even an archery course. In the club house you have pool tables, ping pong tables, TVs showing all the different sporting events. From there I went to go look at the water park.
To get to the waterpark you have to go through the Nick Store where you can purchase Nick merchandise from all the Nick characters, like the Ninja Turtles, Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob. When you get to the park, there is lots of shade and loungers for you. It is located across the road from the lobby, however there is walking path under the road and the golf carts run every 5 mins to and from the water park. A lot of parents were letting their kids roam the park while they lounged in the lazy river, which after an early morning and a long flight hit the spot.
Restaurants
We went for dinner at Verdello, the Italian restaurant. Having just come back from the El Dorado Casitas ,I was used to Karisma’s Gourmet Inclusive menu – which also means small portions. After dinner we went to Vino Vino, an adult piano bar that turned into the disco until 2am.
From there we went to the gourmet village: with 6 restaurants, one bar and one coffee shop, this is the central hub of both the Nickelodeon and Sensatori. This is also where you would find the shops, gym and spa.
The 6 restaurants are:
- Sugarcane: they call it Market Place Cuisine (buffet style, with family friendly side and adult side); no reservations
- Kitchen 23: adults only steakhouse, extra charge applies, reservations required
- Verdello: Italian cuisine, reservations required
- Wok Wok: Asian Fusion (great sushi here), reservations required
- Brgrs.PH: Artisan burger served off a stationary food truck, reservations not required
- Spacewalker: unfortunately didn’t get a chance to eat here but from what we saw on the menu, there is interesting food served with dry ice to give it that smoking look, waitresses dress like they are from Mars
There is also two other restaurants: the Lighthouse which is seafood and Zest, the Caribbean restaurant and where you get the character breakfasts.
Guestrooms
THE PINEAPPLE (presidential suite): Decorated a la Sponge Bob, with two levels, great for bigger families, private pool. Max Occupancy: 4 adults & 2 children, or 2 adults & 4 children
SWANK SWIM-UP SUITE: Located on the ground floor, private wrap-around terrace that offers guests direct access to the pool for spontaneous splashing and a special VIP feel. Private master bedroom with a king size bed, 42″ smart TV, a marble bathroom complete with a rain shower, double sinks, and a free standing tub. Living room has a 48″ smart TV, pull-out sofa bed, dining table for four, and access to the private wraparound terrace which features a direct access to the pool, a sitting area complete with a dining room, living room, sunbathing beds, and a round day bed for private lounging, napping or stargazing. Max Occupancy: 3 adults, 2 adults & 2 children or 2 adults, 1 teen & 1 child
SWANK SUITE: Same as above just 2nd or 3rd floor with private plunge pool on balcony. Max Occupancy: 3 adults, 2 adults & 2 children or 2 adults, 1 teen & 1 child
FLAT SWIM-UP SUITE: Direct access to the pool from their terrace. Features a private master bedroom with a king size bed, 42″ smart TV, a marble bathroom complete with a rain shower, double sinks, and a free standing tub. The living room is complete with a pull out sofa bed, 48″ smart TV, and dining room area. The balcony has an outdoor round day bed for private lounging, napping or stargazing. Max Occupancy: 3 adults, 2 adults & 2 children, or 2 adults, 1 teen & 1 child
FLAT SUITE: Same as above just no pool access
PAD SWIM-UP SUITE: A terrace with a day bed and a sitting area with direct access to the pool. The Pad has one king or two double beds, a pull-out sofa bed, table, 48″ smart TV, marble bathroom with double sinks, a rain shower and a free standing tub. Max Occupancy: 3 adults, 2 adults & 3 children or 2 adults, 1 teen & 1 child
PAD SUITE: Same as above no pool access
BROWSE NICKELODEON PUNTA CANA PACKAGES
Contact Brenda at brendamelo@tripcentral.ca or 1-800-665-4981 ext 7218
